Application Process
Entry Requirements:
Completed university studies
The prerequisite for admission is a university degree with at least a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree in Digital Games as well as in comparable subject areas such as Game Arts, Game Design, or Game Programming.
Graduates of only six-semester Bachelor’s programmes are required to make up for the missing performance points (usually 30 ECTS) at the end of the seven-semester BA degree during the course of their studies, or to compensate for the performance already achieved in other practical or university contexts. Individual agreements are made with the students at the beginning of their studies. It is conceivable to study modules of the Bachelor’s degree programme “Digital Games” as well as the recognition of academic achievements in third degree programmes and of internships and professional activities, provided that they can be compared with the “Exchange & Practice” module of the Bachelor’s degree programme “Digital Games”. The examination board decides on the individual agreements as well as the recognition of achievements already made (such as internships or professional activities).
In addition to a corresponding degree, proof of special aptitude for the MA programme “Digital Games” and a command of the English language in spoken and written form are required. During the course of the application phase, the admission board tests the applicant’s English language skills. Therefore, an additional official certificate, e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, is not necessary to be accepted.
Knowledge of the German language is not required.
Application:
The aptitude test is open to holders of the above-mentioned qualifications (see Entry Requirements) and those who are expected to acquire them by the next possible start of their studies. The aptitude test aims to assess similar aspects to those presented for the BA Digital Games of the CGL. In addition, the Master’s aptitude test aims to determine the ability to participate in the academic discourse at postgraduate level as well as an outstanding artistic talent. For them, the main criteria are the quality of the proposed project and the portfolio of previous projects.
The procedure, which checks the suitability of the candidates on the basis of pre-defined evaluation criteria (including the required knowledge of English), consists of two stages:
- Submission of documents such as curriculum vitae, certificates and relevant work samples as well as a sketch of a research and development project which the applicant would like to implement during the course of his studies as part of his master’s thesis at the Cologne Game Lab. Furthermore, a short statement on the applicant’s own motivation must be submitted.
- In the case of a very long journey from abroad or for other understandable reasons, you can alternatively take part in a video interview. Only those applicants will be invited to this interview who have demonstrated their basic aptitude in the first step.
The application phase 2024 starts on March, 1! The deadline for your submissions is March, 31.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WITH NON-GERMAN DIPLOMAS
Please be aware that CGL does not check the formal validity of your documents. International applicants have to submit their documents to the validation agency Uni-Assist parallel to the CGL application procedure. The deadline for Uni-Assist submissions is also March 31.
All application documents must be submitted to Uni-Assist as officially certified copies. If your documents are issued in a language other than English or German, you are required to submit a German or English language translation from a state certified translator.
For the winter semester 2024/25 you can apply in digital form at uni-assist, you do not have to send any documents by post. TH Köln reserves the right to check these documents during the enrollment.
We would generally recommend you to prepare and submit your Uni Assist materials early on. The evaluation process by Uni-Assist can take up to four weeks during peak times even longer. Your final admission, however, depends on the result of the evaluation.
Please find further information on the Uni-Assist procedure here: